Burgercade Set To Close Downtown, Move To New Riverhead Location

RIVERHEAD, NY — Just under four months after the soft opening of Burgercade in downtown Riverhead, owner Marc LaMaina said he is set to close the eatery's iconic location — and move the business elsewhere in town.

Burgercade, which offers affordable burgers, hot dogs, shakes, and more, as well as a selection of retro video games, is located at the site of the former LuchaCubano and, before that, the longtime Sunny's Riverhead Diner & Grill at 87 East Main Street.

And now, LaMaina announced Monday night that his journey at the location was coming to an end — but assured that Burgercade would live on, in another yet unspecified spot.

"It is with mixed emotion that we are announcing that Sunday, December 31 will be Burgercade's last day open in our downtown Riverhead location," he said. "Concept and crew will quickly be relocating to a soon-to-be announced location not too far away. Our menu will also be available in Mattituck by the end of the month inside our Lucharitos Mattituck location."

He added: "If you haven’t been, definitely try to get in to experience the diner arcade vibe. We would like to thank our guests and our regulars and of course our 'ruff ryder' team that always seems to get it done. We will miss this old diner car but it’s time for a new adventure. I hope who ever gets to use this space next loves her as much as I did."

Speaking with Patch, LaMaina described the emotions leaving the diner evokes. "Creating Luchacubano and Burgercade were two very fun and exciting times for me personally. Working closely with my team and creating a tangible product two times in two years was a blessing of an opportunity. It’s what I love to do," he said.

"Unfortunately this particular location was a tough nut to crack for me. I sincerely hope the next person to take this space can make something work, but at the end of the day for us, there aren’t enough sales to justify the total energy put into the space. Foot traffic drives sales and without any substantial existing foot traffic we were unable to produce a product that could drive enough additional traffic."

LaMaina said that while it was possible to speculate on a hundred different reasons why the eateries didn’t work in that, particular location, it didn't change the reality.

"We look forward to the day when downtown Riverhead is more of a complete package, and we really wanted to be a part of it at that iconic location. But the associated costs were just too high," he said. "At the end of the night when the grill is off and the games get unplugged and it’s just you and the numbers — decisions make themselves. We just can’t be too proud or stubborn to burn ourselves to the ground because other opportunities are out there. Burgercade isn’t done, and will actually be relaunched in the Riverhead area in January."

He added that for those who loved the burgers, Snap-O-Razzo hot dogs, fries and shakes, they will be available at the Mattituck Lucharitos location.

Still, sadness blankets the move.

"We will be leaving that iconic diner. And that I wasn't able to make something work there, in such a special place, in a downtown that I truly care for — that does hit me hard."

LaMaina's last business at the location, LuchaCubano, a sandwicheria and rum bar, closed in December, 2022.

For years, LaMaina has brought his magic touch to a string of popular Lucharitos eateries.

The Center Moriches location of Lucharitos was a self-described overgrown field and an old farmhouse in need of some TLC before LaMaina brought his grit and vision. "And look now. It’s our diamond. Things take time. And the real growth is the ability to pivot. Which we are really, really, good at," he said.

Lucharitos has garnered a loyal clientele since the first location opened in Greenport. There is a new Lucharitos in Mineola.

A new Lucharitos was also unveiled in Melville last year, with the Center Moriches location launched earlier. Lucharitos also branched out to the concession stand of the Mattituck Cinema.

The new sites for the popular taqueria and tequila bars joined the original Lucharitos location in Greenport and Little Lucharitos in Aquebogue — which has pivoted to Good JuJu's, offering seafood boils and barbecue —as well as the Lucharitos Burrito Bar, which opened in Mattituck.

At the Mattituck Cinema, LaMaina has also introduced axe-throwing, paint smashing, live wrestling, music, a teen night, and classic films — creating a place for families to make memories together.